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Shetland Islands and Highland

22,800 and 237,570 residents (mid-2024).

Shetland Islands is higher than Highland on 2 of 22 measures per person in the age group, 1 of 22 per resident and 0 of 22 in total.

On 2 of 22 measures, which area is higher depends on whether you count per person or in total. Choose a way of counting below to see each one.

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Shetland Islands and Highland on a map of the local authorities of Great Britain
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Prices

Money in 2026-27 prices, adjusted for inflation so that years can be compared2026-27 prices, using CPI inflation, adjusted for inflation so that years can be comparedcash terms, not adjusted for inflation.

Per person in the age group

Shetland Islands is higher on 2 of 22 measures, and Highland on 20. Each row has its own scale from zero. Money is in 2026-27 prices2026-27 prices, using CPI inflationcash terms, not adjusted for inflation.1-11

Shetland Islands Highland

  1. All benefitsper resident, 2024-25

    All benefits, per resident: Shetland Islands £2,838, Highland £4,697Highland: £4,697Shetland Islands: £2,838Highland: £4,717Shetland Islands: £2,850Highland: £4,456Shetland Islands: £2,692

    £2,838£2,850£2,692Highland is higher£4,697£4,717£4,456

  2. Pensioner benefitsper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25

    Pensioner benefits, per person aged 66 and over: Shetland Islands £6,727, Highland £12,409Highland: £12,409Shetland Islands: £6,727Highland: £12,462Shetland Islands: £6,756Highland: £11,771Shetland Islands: £6,381

    £6,727£6,756£6,381Highland is higher£12,409£12,462£11,771

  3. Working-age benefitsper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25

    Working-age benefits, per person aged 16 to 64: Shetland Islands £1,314, Highland £1,725Highland: £1,725Shetland Islands: £1,314Highland: £1,732Shetland Islands: £1,320Highland: £1,636Shetland Islands: £1,247

    £1,314£1,320£1,247Highland is higher£1,725£1,732£1,636

  4. State Pensionper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25

    State Pension, per person aged 66 and over: Shetland Islands £5,819, Highland £11,412Highland: £11,412Shetland Islands: £5,819Highland: £11,461Shetland Islands: £5,844Highland: £10,825Shetland Islands: £5,520

    £5,819£5,844£5,520Highland is higher£11,412£11,461£10,825

  5. Pension Creditper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25

    Pension Credit, per person aged 66 and over: Shetland Islands £255, Highland £356Highland: £356Shetland Islands: £255Highland: £358Shetland Islands: £256Highland: £338Shetland Islands: £242

    £255£256£242Highland is higher£356£358£338

  6. Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymentper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25

    Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Payment, per person aged 66 and over: Shetland Islands £639, Highland £621Highland: £621Shetland Islands: £639Highland: £624Shetland Islands: £642Highland: £589Shetland Islands: £606

    £639£642£606Shetland Islands is higherDepends on how you count£621£624£589

  7. Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Paymentper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25

    Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, per person aged 66 and over: Shetland Islands £14, Highland £19Highland: £19Shetland Islands: £14Highland: £20Shetland Islands: £14Highland: £18Shetland Islands: £13

    £14£14£13Highland is higher£19£20£18

  8. Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25

    Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Payment, per resident: Shetland Islands £374, Highland £495Highland: £495Shetland Islands: £374Highland: £497Shetland Islands: £376Highland: £470Shetland Islands: £355

    £374£376£355Highland is higher£495£497£470

  9. Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25

    Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Payment, per resident: Shetland Islands £132, Highland £141Highland: £141Shetland Islands: £132Highland: £142Shetland Islands: £133Highland: £134Shetland Islands: £125

    £132£133£125Highland is higher£141£142£134

  10. Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymentper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25

    Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Payment, per person aged 16 to 64: Shetland Islands £60, Highland £101Highland: £101Shetland Islands: £60Highland: £101Shetland Islands: £60Highland: £96Shetland Islands: £57

    £60£60£57Highland is higher£101£101£96

  11. Universal Creditper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25

    Universal Credit, per person aged 16 to 64: Shetland Islands £936, Highland £1,294Highland: £1,294Shetland Islands: £936Highland: £1,300Shetland Islands: £940Highland: £1,228Shetland Islands: £887

    £936£940£887Highland is higher£1,294£1,300£1,228

  12. Housing Benefitper resident, 2024-25

    Housing Benefit, per resident: Shetland Islands £101, Highland £147Highland: £147Shetland Islands: £101Highland: £148Shetland Islands: £101Highland: £139Shetland Islands: £96

    £101£101£96Highland is higher£147£148£139

  13. Employment and Support Allowanceper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25

    Employment and Support Allowance, per person aged 16 to 64: Shetland Islands £312, Highland £320Highland: £320Shetland Islands: £312Highland: £322Shetland Islands: £314Highland: £304Shetland Islands: £296

    £312£314£296Highland is higher£320£322£304

  14. Jobseeker's Allowanceper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25

    Jobseeker's Allowance, per person aged 16 to 64: Shetland Islands £2.70, Highland £3.50Highland: £3.50Shetland Islands: £2.70Highland: £3.52Shetland Islands: £2.71Highland: £3.32Shetland Islands: £2.56

    £2.70£2.71£2.56Highland is higher£3.50£3.52£3.32

  15. Income Supportper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25

    Income Support, per person aged 16 to 64: Shetland Islands £3.93, Highland £5.55Highland: £5.55Shetland Islands: £3.93Highland: £5.57Shetland Islands: £3.95Highland: £5.26Shetland Islands: £3.73

    £3.93£3.95£3.73Highland is higher£5.55£5.57£5.26

  16. Other benefitsper resident, 2024-25

    Other benefits, per resident: Shetland Islands £1.16, Highland £7.73Highland: £7.73Shetland Islands: £1.16Highland: £7.76Shetland Islands: £1.16Highland: £7.33Shetland Islands: £1.10

    £1.16£1.16£1.10Highland is higher£7.73£7.76£7.33

  17. State Pensionper 1,000 people aged 66 and over, March 2026

    State Pension, per 1,000 people aged 66 and over: Shetland Islands 985.3, Highland 1,002.6Highland: 1,002.6Shetland Islands: 985.3

    985.3Highland is higher1,002.6

  18. Pension Creditper 1,000 people aged 66 and over, March 2026

    Pension Credit, per 1,000 people aged 66 and over: Shetland Islands 64.1, Highland 91.3Highland: 91.3Shetland Islands: 64.1

    64.1Highland is higher91.3

  19. Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymentper 1,000 people aged 66 and over, March 2026

    Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Payment, per 1,000 people aged 66 and over: Shetland Islands 159.2, Highland 137.8Highland: 137.8Shetland Islands: 159.2

    159.2Shetland Islands is higherDepends on how you count137.8

  20. Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymentper 1,000 residents, July 2026

    Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Payment, per 1,000 residents: Shetland Islands 59.4, Highland 77.4Highland: 77.4Shetland Islands: 59.4

    59.4Highland is higher77.4

  21. Universal Creditper 1,000 people aged 16 to 64, May 2026

    Universal Credit, per 1,000 people aged 16 to 64: Shetland Islands 119.5, Highland 162.8Highland: 162.8Shetland Islands: 119.5

    119.5Highland is higher162.8

  22. Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymentper 1,000 people aged 16 to 64, March 2026

    Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Payment, per 1,000 people aged 16 to 64: Shetland Islands 16.4, Highland 22.5Highland: 22.5Shetland Islands: 16.4

    16.4Highland is higher22.5

Show the numbers
Shetland Islands and Highland, per person in the age group
MeasureShetland IslandsHighlandHigher
All benefitsper resident, 2024-25£2,838£2,850£2,692Estimated£4,697£4,717£4,456EstimatedHighland
Pensioner benefitsper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25£6,727£6,756£6,381Estimated£12,409£12,462£11,771EstimatedHighland
Working-age benefitsper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£1,314£1,320£1,247Estimated£1,725£1,732£1,636EstimatedHighland
State Pensionper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25£5,819£5,844£5,520£11,412£11,461£10,825Highland
Pension Creditper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25£255£256£242£356£358£338Highland
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymentper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25£639£642£606Estimated£621£624£589EstimatedShetland Islands
Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Paymentper person aged 66 and over, 2024-25£14£14£13Estimated£19£20£18EstimatedHighland
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25£374£376£355Estimated£495£497£470EstimatedHighland
Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25£132£133£125Estimated£141£142£134EstimatedHighland
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymentper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£60£60£57Estimated£101£101£96EstimatedHighland
Universal Creditper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£936£940£887£1,294£1,300£1,228Highland
Housing Benefitper resident, 2024-25£101£101£96£147£148£139Highland
Employment and Support Allowanceper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£312£314£296£320£322£304Highland
Jobseeker's Allowanceper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£2.70£2.71£2.56£3.50£3.52£3.32Highland
Income Supportper person aged 16 to 64, 2024-25£3.93£3.95£3.73£5.55£5.57£5.26Highland
Other benefitsper resident, 2024-25£1.16£1.16£1.10Estimated£7.73£7.76£7.33EstimatedHighland
State Pensionper 1,000 people aged 66 and over, March 2026985.31,002.6Highland
Pension Creditper 1,000 people aged 66 and over, March 202664.191.3Highland
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymentper 1,000 people aged 66 and over, March 2026159.2137.8Shetland Islands
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymentper 1,000 residents, July 202659.477.4Highland
Universal Creditper 1,000 people aged 16 to 64, May 2026119.5162.8Highland
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymentper 1,000 people aged 16 to 64, March 202616.4Estimated22.5EstimatedHighland

Per resident

Shetland Islands is higher on 1 of 22 measures, and Highland on 21. Each row has its own scale from zero. Money is in 2026-27 prices2026-27 prices, using CPI inflationcash terms, not adjusted for inflation.1-11

Shetland Islands Highland

  1. All benefitsper resident, 2024-25

    All benefits, per resident: Shetland Islands £2,838, Highland £4,697Highland: £4,697Shetland Islands: £2,838Highland: £4,717Shetland Islands: £2,850Highland: £4,456Shetland Islands: £2,692

    £2,838£2,850£2,692Highland is higher£4,697£4,717£4,456

  2. Pensioner benefitsper resident, 2024-25

    Pensioner benefits, per resident: Shetland Islands £1,446, Highland £2,872Highland: £2,872Shetland Islands: £1,446Highland: £2,885Shetland Islands: £1,452Highland: £2,725Shetland Islands: £1,371

    £1,446£1,452£1,371Highland is higher£2,872£2,885£2,725

  3. Working-age benefitsper resident, 2024-25

    Working-age benefits, per resident: Shetland Islands £784, Highland £1,034Highland: £1,034Shetland Islands: £784Highland: £1,038Shetland Islands: £787Highland: £981Shetland Islands: £743

    £784£787£743Highland is higher£1,034£1,038£981

  4. State Pensionper resident, 2024-25

    State Pension, per resident: Shetland Islands £1,251, Highland £2,642Highland: £2,642Shetland Islands: £1,251Highland: £2,653Shetland Islands: £1,256Highland: £2,506Shetland Islands: £1,186

    £1,251£1,256£1,186Highland is higher£2,642£2,653£2,506

  5. Pension Creditper resident, 2024-25

    Pension Credit, per resident: Shetland Islands £55, Highland £83Highland: £83Shetland Islands: £55Highland: £83Shetland Islands: £55Highland: £78Shetland Islands: £52

    £55£55£52Highland is higher£83£83£78

  6. Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25

    Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Payment, per resident: Shetland Islands £137, Highland £144Highland: £144Shetland Islands: £137Highland: £144Shetland Islands: £138Highland: £136Shetland Islands: £130

    £137£138£130Highland is higherDepends on how you count£144£144£136

  7. Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Paymentper resident, 2024-25

    Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, per resident: Shetland Islands £3.00, Highland £4.51Highland: £4.51Shetland Islands: £3.00Highland: £4.53Shetland Islands: £3.02Highland: £4.28Shetland Islands: £2.85

    £3.00£3.02£2.85Highland is higher£4.51£4.53£4.28

  8. Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25

    Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Payment, per resident: Shetland Islands £374, Highland £495Highland: £495Shetland Islands: £374Highland: £497Shetland Islands: £376Highland: £470Shetland Islands: £355

    £374£376£355Highland is higher£495£497£470

  9. Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25

    Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Payment, per resident: Shetland Islands £132, Highland £141Highland: £141Shetland Islands: £132Highland: £142Shetland Islands: £133Highland: £134Shetland Islands: £125

    £132£133£125Highland is higher£141£142£134

  10. Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymentper resident, 2024-25

    Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Payment, per resident: Shetland Islands £36, Highland £60Highland: £60Shetland Islands: £36Highland: £61Shetland Islands: £36Highland: £57Shetland Islands: £34

    £36£36£34Highland is higher£60£61£57

  11. Universal Creditper resident, 2024-25

    Universal Credit, per resident: Shetland Islands £558, Highland £776Highland: £776Shetland Islands: £558Highland: £779Shetland Islands: £560Highland: £736Shetland Islands: £529

    £558£560£529Highland is higher£776£779£736

  12. Housing Benefitper resident, 2024-25

    Housing Benefit, per resident: Shetland Islands £101, Highland £147Highland: £147Shetland Islands: £101Highland: £148Shetland Islands: £101Highland: £139Shetland Islands: £96

    £101£101£96Highland is higher£147£148£139

  13. Employment and Support Allowanceper resident, 2024-25

    Employment and Support Allowance, per resident: Shetland Islands £186, Highland £192Highland: £192Shetland Islands: £186Highland: £193Shetland Islands: £187Highland: £182Shetland Islands: £177

    £186£187£177Highland is higher£192£193£182

  14. Jobseeker's Allowanceper resident, 2024-25

    Jobseeker's Allowance, per resident: Shetland Islands £1.61, Highland £2.10Highland: £2.10Shetland Islands: £1.61Highland: £2.11Shetland Islands: £1.62Highland: £1.99Shetland Islands: £1.53

    £1.61£1.62£1.53Highland is higher£2.10£2.11£1.99

  15. Income Supportper resident, 2024-25

    Income Support, per resident: Shetland Islands £2.34, Highland £3.32Highland: £3.32Shetland Islands: £2.34Highland: £3.34Shetland Islands: £2.35Highland: £3.15Shetland Islands: £2.22

    £2.34£2.35£2.22Highland is higher£3.32£3.34£3.15

  16. Other benefitsper resident, 2024-25

    Other benefits, per resident: Shetland Islands £1.16, Highland £7.73Highland: £7.73Shetland Islands: £1.16Highland: £7.76Shetland Islands: £1.16Highland: £7.33Shetland Islands: £1.10

    £1.16£1.16£1.10Highland is higher£7.73£7.76£7.33

  17. State Pensionper 1,000 residents, March 2026

    State Pension, per 1,000 residents: Shetland Islands 211.8, Highland 232.1Highland: 232.1Shetland Islands: 211.8

    211.8Highland is higher232.1

  18. Pension Creditper 1,000 residents, March 2026

    Pension Credit, per 1,000 residents: Shetland Islands 13.8, Highland 21.1Highland: 21.1Shetland Islands: 13.8

    13.8Highland is higher21.1

  19. Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymentper 1,000 residents, March 2026

    Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Payment, per 1,000 residents: Shetland Islands 34.2, Highland 31.9Highland: 31.9Shetland Islands: 34.2

    34.2Shetland Islands is higherDepends on how you count31.9

  20. Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymentper 1,000 residents, July 2026

    Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Payment, per 1,000 residents: Shetland Islands 59.4, Highland 77.4Highland: 77.4Shetland Islands: 59.4

    59.4Highland is higher77.4

  21. Universal Creditper 1,000 residents, May 2026

    Universal Credit, per 1,000 residents: Shetland Islands 71.2, Highland 97.6Highland: 97.6Shetland Islands: 71.2

    71.2Highland is higher97.6

  22. Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymentper 1,000 residents, March 2026

    Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Payment, per 1,000 residents: Shetland Islands 9.8, Highland 13.5Highland: 13.5Shetland Islands: 9.8

    9.8Highland is higher13.5

Show the numbers
Shetland Islands and Highland, per resident
MeasureShetland IslandsHighlandHigher
All benefitsper resident, 2024-25£2,838£2,850£2,692Estimated£4,697£4,717£4,456EstimatedHighland
Pensioner benefitsper resident, 2024-25£1,446£1,452£1,371Estimated£2,872£2,885£2,725EstimatedHighland
Working-age benefitsper resident, 2024-25£784£787£743Estimated£1,034£1,038£981EstimatedHighland
State Pensionper resident, 2024-25£1,251£1,256£1,186£2,642£2,653£2,506Highland
Pension Creditper resident, 2024-25£55£55£52£83£83£78Highland
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25£137£138£130Estimated£144£144£136EstimatedHighland
Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Paymentper resident, 2024-25£3.00£3.02£2.85Estimated£4.51£4.53£4.28EstimatedHighland
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25£374£376£355Estimated£495£497£470EstimatedHighland
Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Paymentper resident, 2024-25£132£133£125Estimated£141£142£134EstimatedHighland
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymentper resident, 2024-25£36£36£34Estimated£60£61£57EstimatedHighland
Universal Creditper resident, 2024-25£558£560£529£776£779£736Highland
Housing Benefitper resident, 2024-25£101£101£96£147£148£139Highland
Employment and Support Allowanceper resident, 2024-25£186£187£177£192£193£182Highland
Jobseeker's Allowanceper resident, 2024-25£1.61£1.62£1.53£2.10£2.11£1.99Highland
Income Supportper resident, 2024-25£2.34£2.35£2.22£3.32£3.34£3.15Highland
Other benefitsper resident, 2024-25£1.16£1.16£1.10Estimated£7.73£7.76£7.33EstimatedHighland
State Pensionper 1,000 residents, March 2026211.8232.1Highland
Pension Creditper 1,000 residents, March 202613.821.1Highland
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymentper 1,000 residents, March 202634.231.9Shetland Islands
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymentper 1,000 residents, July 202659.477.4Highland
Universal Creditper 1,000 residents, May 202671.297.6Highland
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymentper 1,000 residents, March 20269.8Estimated13.5EstimatedHighland

Total

Shetland Islands is higher on 0 of 22 measures, and Highland on 22. Each row has its own scale from zero. Money is in 2026-27 prices2026-27 prices, using CPI inflationcash terms, not adjusted for inflation.1-11

Shetland Islands Highland

  1. All benefitstotal, 2024-25

    All benefits, total: Shetland Islands £64.7m, Highland £1.1bnHighland: £1.1bnShetland Islands: £64.7mHighland: £1.1bnShetland Islands: £65.0mHighland: £1.1bnShetland Islands: £61.4m

    £64.7m£65.0m£61.4mHighland is higher£1.1bn

  2. Pensioner benefitstotal, 2024-25

    Pensioner benefits, total: Shetland Islands £33.0m, Highland £682.4mHighland: £682.4mShetland Islands: £33.0mHighland: £685.3mShetland Islands: £33.1mHighland: £647.3mShetland Islands: £31.3m

    £33.0m£33.1m£31.3mHighland is higher£682.4m£685.3m£647.3m

  3. Working-age benefitstotal, 2024-25

    Working-age benefits, total: Shetland Islands £17.9m, Highland £245.6mHighland: £245.6mShetland Islands: £17.9mHighland: £246.6mShetland Islands: £17.9mHighland: £232.9mShetland Islands: £16.9m

    £17.9m£17.9m£16.9mHighland is higher£245.6m£246.6m£232.9m

  4. State Pensiontotal, 2024-25

    State Pension, total: Shetland Islands £28.5m, Highland £627.6mHighland: £627.6mShetland Islands: £28.5mHighland: £630.2mShetland Islands: £28.6mHighland: £595.3mShetland Islands: £27.0m

    £28.5m£28.6m£27.0mHighland is higher£627.6m£630.2m£595.3m

  5. Pension Credittotal, 2024-25

    Pension Credit, total: Shetland Islands £1.3m, Highland £19.6mHighland: £19.6mShetland Islands: £1.3mHighland: £19.7mShetland Islands: £1.3mHighland: £18.6mShetland Islands: £1.2m

    £1.3m£1.3m£1.2mHighland is higher£19.6m£19.7m£18.6m

  6. Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymenttotal, 2024-25

    Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Payment, total: Shetland Islands £3.1m, Highland £34.2mHighland: £34.2mShetland Islands: £3.1mHighland: £34.3mShetland Islands: £3.1mHighland: £32.4mShetland Islands: £3.0m

    £3.1m£3.1m£3.0mHighland is higherDepends on how you count£34.2m£34.3m£32.4m

  7. Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Paymenttotal, 2024-25

    Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Payment, total: Shetland Islands £0.07m, Highland £1.1mHighland: £1.1mShetland Islands: £0.07mHighland: £1.1mShetland Islands: £0.07mHighland: £1.0mShetland Islands: £0.06m

    £0.07m£0.07m£0.06mHighland is higher£1.1m£1.1m£1.0m

  8. Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymenttotal, 2024-25

    Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Payment, total: Shetland Islands £8.5m, Highland £117.7mHighland: £117.7mShetland Islands: £8.5mHighland: £118.2mShetland Islands: £8.6mHighland: £111.6mShetland Islands: £8.1m

    £8.5m£8.6m£8.1mHighland is higher£117.7m£118.2m£111.6m

  9. Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Paymenttotal, 2024-25

    Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Payment, total: Shetland Islands £3.0m, Highland £33.5mHighland: £33.5mShetland Islands: £3.0mHighland: £33.7mShetland Islands: £3.0mHighland: £31.8mShetland Islands: £2.9m

    £3.0m£3.0m£2.9mHighland is higher£33.5m£33.7m£31.8m

  10. Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymenttotal, 2024-25

    Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Payment, total: Shetland Islands £0.81m, Highland £14.4mHighland: £14.4mShetland Islands: £0.81mHighland: £14.4mShetland Islands: £0.82mHighland: £13.6mShetland Islands: £0.77m

    £0.81m£0.82m£0.77mHighland is higher£14.4m£14.4m£13.6m

  11. Universal Credittotal, 2024-25

    Universal Credit, total: Shetland Islands £12.7m, Highland £184.3mHighland: £184.3mShetland Islands: £12.7mHighland: £185.1mShetland Islands: £12.8mHighland: £174.8mShetland Islands: £12.1m

    £12.7m£12.8m£12.1mHighland is higher£184.3m£185.1m£174.8m

  12. Housing Benefittotal, 2024-25

    Housing Benefit, total: Shetland Islands £2.3m, Highland £34.9mHighland: £34.9mShetland Islands: £2.3mHighland: £35.0mShetland Islands: £2.3mHighland: £33.1mShetland Islands: £2.2m

    £2.3m£2.3m£2.2mHighland is higher£34.9m£35.0m£33.1m

  13. Employment and Support Allowancetotal, 2024-25

    Employment and Support Allowance, total: Shetland Islands £4.2m, Highland £45.6mHighland: £45.6mShetland Islands: £4.2mHighland: £45.8mShetland Islands: £4.3mHighland: £43.3mShetland Islands: £4.0m

    £4.2m£4.3m£4.0mHighland is higher£45.6m£45.8m£43.3m

  14. Jobseeker's Allowancetotal, 2024-25

    Jobseeker's Allowance, total: Shetland Islands £0.04m, Highland £0.50mHighland: £0.50mShetland Islands: £0.04mHighland: £0.50mShetland Islands: £0.04mHighland: £0.47mShetland Islands: £0.03m

    £0.04m£0.04m£0.03mHighland is higher£0.50m£0.50m£0.47m

  15. Income Supporttotal, 2024-25

    Income Support, total: Shetland Islands £0.05m, Highland £0.79mHighland: £0.79mShetland Islands: £0.05mHighland: £0.79mShetland Islands: £0.05mHighland: £0.75mShetland Islands: £0.05m

    £0.05mHighland is higher£0.79m£0.79m£0.75m

  16. Other benefitstotal, 2024-25

    Other benefits, total: Shetland Islands £0.03m, Highland £1.8mHighland: £1.8mShetland Islands: £0.03mHighland: £1.8mShetland Islands: £0.03mHighland: £1.7mShetland Islands: £0.03m

    £0.03mHighland is higher£1.8m£1.8m£1.7m

  17. State Pensiontotal, March 2026

    State Pension, total: Shetland Islands 4,828, Highland 55,132Highland: 55,132Shetland Islands: 4,828

    4,828Highland is higher55,132

  18. Pension Credittotal, March 2026

    Pension Credit, total: Shetland Islands 314, Highland 5,020Highland: 5,020Shetland Islands: 314

    314Highland is higher5,020

  19. Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymenttotal, March 2026

    Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Payment, total: Shetland Islands 780, Highland 7,575Highland: 7,575Shetland Islands: 780

    780Highland is higherDepends on how you count7,575

  20. Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymenttotal, July 2026

    Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Payment, total: Shetland Islands 1,355, Highland 18,395Highland: 18,395Shetland Islands: 1,355

    1,355Highland is higher18,395

  21. Universal Credittotal, May 2026

    Universal Credit, total: Shetland Islands 1,624, Highland 23,186Highland: 23,186Shetland Islands: 1,624

    1,624Highland is higher23,186

  22. Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymenttotal, March 2026

    Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Payment, total: Shetland Islands 223, Highland 3,202Highland: 3,202Shetland Islands: 223

    223Highland is higher3,202

Show the numbers
Shetland Islands and Highland, total
MeasureShetland IslandsHighlandHigher
All benefitstotal, 2024-25£64.7m£65.0m£61.4mEstimated£1.1bnEstimatedHighland
Pensioner benefitstotal, 2024-25£33.0m£33.1m£31.3mEstimated£682.4m£685.3m£647.3mEstimatedHighland
Working-age benefitstotal, 2024-25£17.9m£17.9m£16.9mEstimated£245.6m£246.6m£232.9mEstimatedHighland
State Pensiontotal, 2024-25£28.5m£28.6m£27.0m£627.6m£630.2m£595.3mHighland
Pension Credittotal, 2024-25£1.3m£1.3m£1.2m£19.6m£19.7m£18.6mHighland
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymenttotal, 2024-25£3.1m£3.1m£3.0mEstimated£34.2m£34.3m£32.4mEstimatedHighland
Winter Fuel Payment and Pension Age Winter Heating Paymenttotal, 2024-25£0.07m£0.07m£0.06mEstimated£1.1m£1.1m£1.0mEstimatedHighland
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymenttotal, 2024-25£8.5m£8.6m£8.1mEstimated£117.7m£118.2m£111.6mEstimatedHighland
Disability Living Allowance and Child Disability Paymenttotal, 2024-25£3.0m£3.0m£2.9mEstimated£33.5m£33.7m£31.8mEstimatedHighland
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymenttotal, 2024-25£0.81m£0.82m£0.77mEstimated£14.4m£14.4m£13.6mEstimatedHighland
Universal Credittotal, 2024-25£12.7m£12.8m£12.1m£184.3m£185.1m£174.8mHighland
Housing Benefittotal, 2024-25£2.3m£2.3m£2.2m£34.9m£35.0m£33.1mHighland
Employment and Support Allowancetotal, 2024-25£4.2m£4.3m£4.0m£45.6m£45.8m£43.3mHighland
Jobseeker's Allowancetotal, 2024-25£0.04m£0.04m£0.03m£0.50m£0.50m£0.47mHighland
Income Supporttotal, 2024-25£0.05m£0.79m£0.79m£0.75mHighland
Other benefitstotal, 2024-25£0.03mEstimated£1.8m£1.8m£1.7mEstimatedHighland
State Pensiontotal, March 20264,82855,132Highland
Pension Credittotal, March 20263145,020Highland
Attendance Allowance and Pension Age Disability Paymenttotal, March 20267807,575Highland
Personal Independence Payment and Adult Disability Paymenttotal, July 20261,35518,395Highland
Universal Credittotal, May 20261,62423,186Highland
Carer's Allowance and Carer Support Paymenttotal, March 2026223Estimated3,202EstimatedHighland

Sources

Each area's page lists the limits of its figures and where each one comes from.

  1. 1Department for Work and Pensions. Benefit expenditure by local authority, 2024-25. Published 15 December 2025. Open Government Licence v3.0. Data release 2026-10-08.2.
  2. 2Department for Work and Pensions. Benefit expenditure by parliamentary constituency, 2024-25. Published 15 December 2025. Open Government Licence v3.0. Data release 2026-10-08.2.
  3. 3Department for Work and Pensions. Stat-Xplore benefit caseloads and awards. Published 6 October 2026. Open Government Licence v3.0. Data release 2026-10-08.2.
  4. 4Social Security Scotland. Adult Disability Payment statistics to 31 July 2026. Published 14 September 2026. Open Government Licence v3.0. Data release 2026-10-08.2.
  5. 5Social Security Scotland. Child Disability Payment statistics to 30 June 2026. Published 17 August 2026. Open Government Licence v3.0. Data release 2026-10-08.2.
  6. 6Social Security Scotland. Pension Age Disability Payment statistics to 31 July 2026. Published 14 September 2026. Open Government Licence v3.0. Data release 2026-10-08.2.
  7. 7Social Security Scotland. Carer Support Payment statistics to 30 June 2026. Published 10 August 2026. Open Government Licence v3.0. Data release 2026-10-08.2.
  8. 8Social Security Scotland. Winter heating benefits statistics for winter 2025/26. Published 18 May 2026. Open Government Licence v3.0. Data release 2026-10-08.2.
  9. 9Office for National Statistics. Population estimates by local authority (Nomis NM_2002_1). Published 5 October 2026. Open Government Licence v3.0. Data release 2026-10-08.2.
  10. 10Office for National Statistics. Population estimates by 2024 parliamentary constituency (Nomis NM_2014_1). Published 5 October 2026. Open Government Licence v3.0. Data release 2026-10-08.2.
  11. 11National Records of Scotland. Population estimates for other geographies, mid-2011 to mid-2024. Published 31 August 2026. Open Government Licence v3.0. Data release 2026-10-08.2.